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EPW committee postpones consideration of Lee Beeman amid ethics questions
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Summary
Committee postponed consideration of Lee Beeman to the Tennessee Valley Authority Board after the ranking member raised an ongoing House Ethics Committee investigation, disputed QFR answers, landlord concerns, and ties to a pastor who made violent statements about gay people.
During opening remarks the committee chair said the nomination of Lee Beeman to the Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors would be considered at another time. The ranking member expanded on that point, urging the committee not to proceed while an ongoing investigation and outstanding questions remain.
The ranking member said an investigation is underway into Beeman’s role in allegedly mischaracterized campaign contributions — loans described as donations — at a time when he served as treasurer. The ranking member said the matter has been referred to the House Ethics Committee. He also raised questions about Beeman’s status as a landlord to multiple House members, citing concerns about whether market rates were charged and noting Beeman’s disclosure that he rents a house for a dollar a year to a pastor who then collects rent from House members.
The ranking member additionally objected to Beeman’s close relationship with Pastor Berger, whom he quoted as having said of gay people, "[I would] beat every one of them with a baseball bat and not feel bad about it." The ranking member said that association and the unresolved ethics questions make a vote inappropriate at this time and said the committee should seek clearer answers before moving forward.
No vote on Beeman was taken during the session recorded in the transcript; the committee postponed consideration of his nomination pending further information. The transcript does not include responses from Mr. Beeman, the House Ethics Committee, or Pastor Berger.
